foster



(No Model.) Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

0. W POSTER. POWER TRANSMITTER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

No. 255,383. Patented Mar. 21 1882.

( Model 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0-. W. FOSTER.

POWER TRANSMITTER FOR SEWING MACHINES. No.. 255,383. Patented Mar. 21,1882.

rne s rra ra'rns PATENT ries.

POWER-TRANSMITTER FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,353, dated March 21, 1882.

Application filed J annary 6, 1882. (No model.)

v'lo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LUHARLES W. FosrER, of New'Haven, in the eountyof New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power-Transmitters for Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it'appertains to make and use the same,'reference being bad to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side view. Fig. 2 is a top plan. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the friction-pulley and the upper end of the countershaft; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line .70 :10, Fig. 3.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to motors or devices for transmitting power to sewing-machines and other light machinery; audit consists in certain improvements in the device patented to myself on December 20, 1881, No. 251,207, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings hereto annexed, A represents a suitably-constructed frame, having bearings for the main driving-shaft B, to which motion is imparted by any suitable motive power.

C is a counter-shaft placed transversely and in a. slanting position in relation to drivingshaft B, frameA being provided with suitable rests or brackets to receive and hold said counter-shaft, which is held stationary by means of set-screws, keys, or in any suitable manner.

D is a large friction drive wheel or disk, which is secured firmly upon the shaft 13.

Placed loosely upon the counter-shaft C is a friction wheel or pulley, E, which derives its motion from the driving-disk D,with which its rim is in contact during operation of the device. The hub F of pulley E has an annular groove, G, to receive a pair of segmental lugs, H H, pivoted by means of set-screws l, or in any suitable manner, to the arms of a forked rod, J'. The latter is pivoted at K to a lever,

L, having its fulcrum at M, which is a bracket extending, as shown, from the frame A.

N is the treadle ofrthe sewing or other machine which is to be operated. The front end of said treadle has a friction-roller, 0, working in a slot, P, in lever L, which may thus be operated by means of treadle N. It will be observed that when the' latter is depressed it lowers the free end of lever L. The connecting-rod J, which, as described,is provided with bearing-lugs H H for the loose pulley E, thus serves to draw the said pulley in a downward and rearward direction toward the lower end of the counter-shaft and toward the periphery of the driving-disk D, with which said pulley isin contact, thus increasingthe speed at which said pulley E is being revolved. When the pressure upon the treadle is released the pulley E is drawn back toward the center of drivin g-disk D by a suitably-arranged retractingspring, Q. At its center, or immediately sur rounding the shaft B, the driving-disk D is provided with a shallow annular recess, R, which, when the pulley E is at the extreme upper end of counter-shaft C, relieves said pulley from contact with the driving-disk.

Pulley E is provided on its front or upper side with a recess, S, adapted to receive the upper rest or bracket, T, in which the counter-shaft C is supported. In the recess S is secureda cushion, U, of rubber or other suitablematcrial, which,by contact with the bracket T, serves as a brake to prevent the pulley E from revolving.

Pulley E may be constructed in any suitable manner, preferably of a pair of disks or plates connected by set-screws,and clamping between them a series of rings or washers, of leather or other suitable material, forming the friction rim or surface. It is also provided with an annular groove, V, to receive the belt or band and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Sta-tes 1. The combination of the main shaft having a fixed friction drive wheel ordisk, the counter-shaft secured rigidly in its bearings,

IOO

the friction-pulley mounted loosely upon said counter-shaft, mechanism for adjusting it upon said counter-shalt, and a suitably-arranged retracting-spring, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the loose pulley having an annularly-grooved hub, an adjusting-lever operated by a treadle, and a pivoted forked connecting-rod having pivoted bearing-lugs for the loose pulley, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the loose and adjustable friction-pulley, of a driving-disk provided near its center with a shallow annular recess, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4.. The combination of the counter-shaft secured rigidly in suitable rests or brackets, the loose pulley adjustable upon said counter-shaft and having a recess to receive the bracket at one end of said counter-shaft, and a brakeblock or cushion secured in the recess of said pulley, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the driving-disk having an annular recess, the counter-shaft sccured in rests or brackets, and the loose adjustable friction-pulley having a recess provided with a brake-block or cushion adapted for contact with the rest at one end of the counter-shaft, substantially as set forth.

6. A friction driving wheel or disk-provided near its center with an annular recess to relieve it from contact at that point with the friction pulley or pulleys driven by said disk, substantially as set forth.

7. A friction-pulley having a central annular recess to receive a brake-block or cushion, as set forth.

8. A bracket or hanger supporting one end of a shaft and adapted to engage a brake-block or cushion placed in a central annular recess of a loose pulley moving upon said shaft, substantially as set forth.

9. Abracket or hanger supporting one end of a shaft and adapted to engage a brake-block or cushion placed in a central annular recess of a loose pulley moving upon said shaft, in combination with a retractin g-sprin g adapted to hold said pulley automatically in contact with said bracket, substantially as set forth.

10. As an improvement in power-transmitters for sewing-machines, the combination of the main shaft carrying a driving-disk having a central annular recess, the counter-shaft mounted rigidly in brackets or rests, the loose friction-pulley having a recess provided with a brake-block or cushion adapted to engage one of the brackets supporting the countershaft, mechanism for adjusting the said pulley while in motion upon the counter-shaft, and a retracting-spring, arranged substantially as herein described, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a power-transmitter constructed substantially as herein described, the hereiutlescribed main frame, supporting the main and the counter shafts, and having vertically-adjustable legs or supports, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. W. FOSTER.

Witnesses:

E. A. FOLSOM, EARLHED P. Auvuvn. 

